Nam KW, et al. – In this study involving 841 ischemic stroke patients, researchers assessed the relationship between the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD). Between 2010 and 2013, consecutive first-ever ischemic stroke patients were enrolled in the study. Using both the Fazekas score and quantitative methods on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images, white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volumes were rated. In the multivariate analysis of WMH volume predictors, the LVEF remained significant after adjustment for confounders. After adjusting for their confounders, the investigators found that LVEF was also a predictor of lacunes, cerebral microbleeds, and moderate to severe enlarged perivascular spaces. Findings suggested a negative correlation of the burden of cSVD with the LVEF in a dose-response manner.